Covid-19 update: Omicron variant − a new emerging threat

Abstract

A new health threat in the form of a new variant of Covid-19 called Omicron has emerged globally in this holiday season. This new variant has been declared a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization and experts are expecting another wave of the pandemic. A lot still unknown about this variant and researchers worldwide are conducting studies to find the nature and characteristics of this mutated strain. Cases have begun to rise dramatically around the world and many countries have already imposed travel restrictions again to prevent disease transmission. It is being speculated that this particular variant has got tendency of immune escape and therefore can even infect fully vaccinated individuals. Vaccination and adhering to Covid-19 guidelines and protocols can curtail the spread of the virus. The present paper focuses on what is currently known about this variant, antigen diagnostic tests, importance of getting fully vaccinated and having booster dose etc. If we want to emerge from this pandemic, countries should practice vaccine equality and solidarity for the good of mankind.

Keywords

• covid-19
• sars-cov-2
• omicron variant
• vaccine
• coronavirus pandemic